If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss or if you find that you are having trouble hearing things that you used to be able to hear, you would understand that communication becomes increasingly difficult with hearing issues. Day-to-day tasks become a challenge for you and you are anxious about your physical safety because of your hearing loss.
If that sounds like you, you can take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. Hearing loss is a common problem faced by most in their golden years. In fact, 25% of older adults between the ages of 65 and 74 have a hearing loss that makes daily life difficult, according to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communications Disorders (NIDCD). The percentage increases dramatically after age 75 to a staggering 50%.
Therefore, it is important to locate an assisted living in Terrytown, LA that is ideal for those with hearing issues. Not sure what that means? Read this article for a quick and handy guide.
What Makes an Assisted Living Community Suitable for those with Hearing Loss?
An assisted living community that is ideal for those with hearing loss can work to empower hearing-impaired people and give them the highest attainable standard of living. These communities deal with the difficult issue of helping people with disabling hearing loss overcome linguistic barriers.
The assisted living community that you choose should employ trained professionals who are familiar with communicating with those with hearing loss. There should also be interpreters on the ground, especially when communication involves complicated and often consequential medical terms.
Buildings around the assisted living community should also be deaf-friendly. In other words, they should be fitted with equipment such as doorbells and communication equipment that will light up in times of emergency. Beds should also vibrate during emergencies and there should be accompanying bright lights that will turn on readily.
Along with the equipment mentioned above, it is useful to make sure that the assistant living community has in place state-of-the-art technology such as text messages that will be read out to residents and high-speed video communication with captions.
Questions to Ask when Deciding on an Assisted Living Community
Before you decided on an assisted living community, it would be a good idea for you to schedule a tour so that you can see for yourself how things are like at the community.
As you take a stroll along the setting and walk by various amenities, ask your friendly tour guide any questions that you may have in mind.
Here are some questions to get the ball rolling:
- Are your staff fluent in sign language?
- Are the activities and events held suitable for those who have hearing loss?
- What audio-visual equipment are put in place at your assisted living community?
- Are there special alarm and emergency systems for residents who are hard of hearing?
These questions will help you to determine if it is a good idea to relocate to the assisted living community that you tour. Remember, it is important to empower those with hearing issues, and the place that you choose to live in should help with that!
